noun
binoculars
bih-NOK-yuu-luhz
Binoculars (noun) means a handheld optical instrument with lenses for each eye, used to magnify distant objects. Example: “She used binoculars to watch the birds on the lake.”
noun
1
A handheld optical instrument with lenses for each eye, used to magnify distant objects.
"She used binoculars to watch the birds on the lake."
"He packed his binoculars for the safari trip."
How to use binoculars
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTwo small telescopes joined together so you can view distant things with both eyes at once.
Common mistake
Always treated as plural — "these binoculars," not "this binocular" (though "binocular" alone is a valid adjective, as in "binocular vision").
Common pairings
pair of binoculars
look through binoculars
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Word forms
- Singular
- binocular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She used _____ to watch the birds on the lake.
Etymology
Shortened from "binocular glass" — "binocular" itself comes from Latin bini ("two together") and oculus ("eye").
Synonyms
View more →
field glasses
opera glasses
Related words
Rhymes for binoculars
See all rhymes for binoculars →Frequently asked questions
What does “binoculars” mean?
The word “binoculars” means a handheld optical instrument with lenses for each eye, used to magnify distant objects. In plain terms, two small telescopes joined together so you can view distant things with both eyes at once.
How do you pronounce “binoculars”?
“Binoculars” is pronounced bih-NOK-yuu-luhz (/(ˌ)baɪˈnɑ.kjə.lɚz/ in IPA).
How do you use “binoculars” in a sentence?
Here is “binoculars” used in a sentence: “She used binoculars to watch the birds on the lake.”
What part of speech is “binoculars”?
“Binoculars” is a noun.
Where does the word “binoculars” come from?
The word “binoculars” comes from Latin. Shortened from "binocular glass" — "binocular" itself comes from Latin bini ("two together") and oculus ("eye").
